Stability of resilience in children of adolescent mothers

The current study examined the stability of resilience in a longitudinal sample of children born to adolescent mothers. Resilience was initially assessed in 106 children at age 5 in terms of intellectual, adaptive behavior, and psychosocial competence. Children's exposure to adversity was based on an index composed of maternal social and psychological functioning. Approximately 68% of the children retained their status as Resilient or Vulnerable when reassessed at age 8. Greater stability was observed for children in contexts characterized by either high or low levels of maternal adversity, in contrast to moderate adversity. Competence at age 8 was dependent upon children's intelligence scores at age 5 and changes in maternal self-esteem and anxiety between the children's ages of 5 and 8. Results suggested the importance of early development for establishing pathways toward resilience during childhood.